Why Have I Been Experiencing Vaginal And Anal Itching Followed By Swelling, And Redness For The Past 3 Weeks?

Posted on Fri, 4 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 4 May 2018 Answered on

Wed, 4 Oct 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been experiencing vaginal and anal itching for approx. the past 3 weeks. For about a week now the itching has increased, as well as the swelling, and redness. No odor or discharge. Tonight the itching was almost unbearable until I used an OTC analgesic cream with Benzocaine 20%. I don't think it's a yeast infection. I am a 40 year old LPN, 5'8, 135 lbs, and consider myself to be a healthy person. The only medication I take is 60 mg of Cymbalta daily for fibromyalgia. I started leaking a very small amount of urine in regular intervals tonight. Could this just be a simple vaginitis or UTI? Help!!!!

Answered by Dr. Soumya (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Urine culture and sensitivity test required

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I understand your concerns.

This seems to be vaginitis extending to perineum which is causing itching. This is root cause of all problems.

Untreated infection appears to have extended to urinary tract to cause UTI.

Most common cause is fungal (yeast) infection which untreated is superimposed by bacterial infection. Its a mix of yeast and bacterial infection. Not necessary to have odor and discharge.

You need to get antifungal vaginal suppositories to start with ( not sure if they OTC drug there). Also you need antifungal topical ointment ( containing clotrimazole)to apply on itching areas.

You need to get urine culture and sensitivity to identify bacteria / organism causing this and drugs it is responsive to.

Analgesic cream may not help you.

Let me know if you need anymore help.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar